Gabriella Cilmi - On A Mission: shit or hit?
24 comments | Published by Rach Read |
File this one in the “Unexpected Changes of Direction” section. With Teentoday.co.uk’s usual punctuality, you’ve probably already all heard/seen/not cared about Gabriella Cilmi’s comeback single (On A Mission, released 8 March) for weeks now yet we couldn’t resist throwing in our two cents’ worth.
Cilmi was last seen trilling along to a deodorant advert in a clearly post-Winehouse style and consequentially scoring 2009’s most-played song in Sweet About Me. She also scored a really boring debut album courtesy of Girls Aloud producers Xenomania in Lessons To Be Learned (more boring than history, physics and maths lessons combined… oh ok, it wasn’t that bad). Come 2010, Cilmi has had a sexpot makeover (check out that sexy sweaty sleeve) – complete with a new sound. And we’re loving it.
On A Mission is 2010’s first proper big pop anthem – not bad going considering we’re only in January. It’s got some glam-rock, new-wave 70s/80s influences (no one on the Net can quite decide which) mixed up with some shouty sherbet-tinged electro pop-rock, yet at Teentoday we’re obviously more bothered about the fact that it has one of those talky middle eight bits. Any males reading will be more bothered about the accompanying music video, which sees Cilmi channelling her inner Barbarella in a deliciously B-movie way, with space helmets, skimpy outfits and dancers with legs akimbo (my boyfriend took one look and proclaimed ‘Hit’).
It’s the sort of thing Kelly Clarkson should be doing, The Veronicas are kinda already doing and Katy Perry wishes she was doing. It’s fun, it would sound good loud and we can’t wait to be jumping around yelling it at unsuspecting males in clubs. If this is any kind of indicator of what its parent album Ten (out March 22) will sound like, we can officially pronounce ourselves v. excited indeed. And let’s not forget, she’s still only 19. Take that Pixie Lott!
On A Mission: shit or hit?
y0david6
i love the change of direction from Gabriella . Defo a hit xxx
Catherine Elaine
I really want to dislike Gabriella Cilmi. My obsession with Australian Artists has meant that I’m aware that she won 6 ARIA’s (their version of BRIT’s) after the release of her debut which I (and quite a few others) didn’t think were totally justified. She was up against a lot of other artists who’s songs were ultimately a lot better.
I’ll admit I download Sweet About Me for it’s sickening catchiness. And I can’t help but destroy Warm This Winter with my beautiful vocals at Christmas. But I’m genuinely taken by this new release. As with SAM and LTBL it’s catchy. Not just a little catchy. It’s ridiculously catchy. I’ve only actually listened to it once but could happily sing the chorus now word perfect.
Ultimately, I rather like this new direction. It’s nice to see her do something which I reckon is better suited to her. Looking forward to seeing what else Ten has to offer.
badbodydouble
I’m kind of indifferent. I don’t like it, but I don’t hate it. It’s a matter of taste, I guess. It reminds me of roller disco, but not in a good way. I dunno.
Olly aka the boss
I think for pop music, indifferent is probably the biggest insult you can offer :0
I’ll leave my thoughts later, after a few listens.
PatrickFH94
It sounds rather 80s I must say, not in the same league as “Sweet about me” or the fantastic song “Save the Lies” but still a great track.
haylio
TBH i dont think she actually has any talent catchy song, but there is no natural amazingness in her voice!
haylio
I think ‘sweet about me’ on the otherhand, shows real talent and a strong voice
Anon_Cel
Hit! Usually when artists comeback with a ‘new mature sound’ *coughTheSaturdayscough* it’s a complete and utter failure but this sounds more mature than her previous material without being shit.
It’s got me looking forward to her album despite not liking her first one although I was surprised to hear she’s only worked with Xenomania on one song. That’s quite a change in direction but the other songs are anything like this, she shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
sammy_lpool
bits of the video just lok like a blatent rip off of beyoncé ‘s sweet dreams and vdeophone vids , i used t like her but this is awful, like the veronicas but even shitter if thats possible , the hook is shamefully catchy, but shes obviously been pushed int this direction by her label , 5yr old girls- then its a hit, any one else , then its like an ogres shit
Libby_GAGA
i love that shes done something different to her other stuff but i think it’ll take a few listens to decide for sure but atm i think it’s kinda shit .
Del
First off great review. It’s nice to see opinions that don’t compare or suggest she’s taking or borrinwg stuff from Lady GaGa.
I’m a Gab freak nothing short. Cannot get enough of her but that’s not to say i was unsure of the new direction which i was but having heard her opinions on the new move and influences and hearing the music itself i’m loving it.
Sure i fell in love with the crossover jazzness of sweet about me, funk rock of terrifying and bluesy tracks like Awkward Game but it’s nice to see she can do more and be good at that too, not to mention see her have fun with that sort of music. Love the video and not just because she looks stunning and i think she’s hot haha but it’s nice to see her in a video that reminds her and others of her age and have such great production values.
Hope this new record will be a hit and spark interest on her prequal album to the people who didn’t listen to it.
iheartolly
I love it. It’s a piece of pop art imo. Gabriela has that special something that make you like her.
Olly aka the boss
Who is this olly you speak of?
y0david6
i have played this song so many times
I Will be buying this song when it is released.
This song will do well when released
musicfan1
I think the fact that she seems to have aquired a smoking hot bod from somewhere is going to overshadow the song. The song, ah yes. It’s Shania Twain goes disco.
Rachel
One word. Shit.
danni1333
i don’t really like it which is ashame because i really like sweet about me but it did not live up to my expectaions (yes expectation is a really impressive long word well probably not but i am 13 so who cares )
Who'sGotTheLove?:)
I like the change in direction, I like the video, I like the song itself… I just HATE her vocals.
Rick
shit, liked her 1st album, it was her own sound. her new song is something some xfactor fiinlist would shit out. shes obviously moved towards ‘ill do something idiots will like by sounding like everyone else and have zero originality’. the sad thing is, it will work
doubt i will even download her new album, shame, just more wasted talent
robbieanthony87
never liked her but love this song so i will say hit
Peter
Quite like OAM, not the best song I have listened to, not the worst, Gabriella however looks truly gorgeous in the video.
msnhatesclaire
I’ve listened to this song quite a few times before commenting and I still can’t seem to make up my mind about it. On the one hand I LOVE it, the track is poppy, electro, SO catchy, addictive and everything that I want, however I just listen to it thinking ‘this would be better with someone else singing it’. Somehow her voice just doesn’t sit well with the track for me. Like a few others have commented, it just seems like somebody has watched Lady GaGa and in particular Beyonce (the blatant rip off of the video is unbelievable) have amazing success last year and thought that that was the way to go, just as before she seemed to replicate the Amy Winehouse vibe like you’ve said. It just seems like it’s not quite her, I thought she was more convincing before with ‘Sweet About Me’ even though I couldn’t stand that. I’m still not very sure, it would’ve been interesting to hear the track with someone else’s vocals on it.
sammy_lpool
somethins just reminded me to come back to this because ive seen it n the tele now and its grown on me loads suppose that catchy hook is catchy but thats the point of a song. I actually like it now i think it was initially a shock because its so different but i like it . obv a bad day on the first reiew : / but on tele it looks/sounds good : ]
xclairey
I like it, it’s different and the video is cool. The song is really catchy too. <3